EAST LANSING – Le’Veon Bell and Dion Sims made it official on Twitter, and as of Thursday evening, Will Gholston had yet to confirm several reports – and congratulations from teammates on Twitter -- that he’s joining them in the NFL draft.

That formality aside, it’s time for Michigan State football to prepare for the 2013 season without three of its most talented players. The impact is bigger on an offense that struggled throughout a 7-6 season in 2012.

Bell leaves after putting together the second-best rushing season in MSU history – 1,793 yards with 12 touchdowns on 382 carries. He is projected as high as a second-round pick and tweeted: "As hard as it was to leave spartan nation, it was even harder to pass on such a great opportunity I have in front of me! But I love and thank spartan nation for everything! I will always be a Spartan!"

MSU later released a statement from Bell in which he said it was the hardest decision of his life, but impossible to pass on his dream. MSU coach Mark Dantonio said in a statement: “While I do believe there was both personal and program value in Le’Veon returning for his senior season, I acknowledge the difficult choice he had to make.”

Sims’ four-year MSU career was limited by injuries and legal issues, and an ankle injury affected much of his junior season. But his pro-level ability was on display when healthy, and analysts also project him as high as a second-round pick.

Dantonio appeared Thursday on Sirius Radio and said: “It’s part of the deal in college football. You’re going to have guys leave, whether they’re seniors or juniors in this case.”

Dantonio addressed the departure of Bell specifically, saying: “You just have to get the next guy ready. Whether it be Nick Hill or Jeremy Langford or Nick Tompkins, those are the three guys that remain. We’ve got three really outstanding running backs coming into our program next year so it will give an opportunity for those guys to play early in their career and we’ll look forward to that. They’re special and we’ll just focus on getting better.”

MSU loses senior Larry Caper along with Bell, with two definite running backs expected to sign in February as part of the class of 2013 – Gerald Holmes of Flint Carman-Ainsworth and R.J. Shelton of Beaver Dam, Wis.

Holmes tweeted: “I gotta work hard to get that spot … and I have no problem Doin that … my goal is to have me and (Shelton) on the field together.”

MSU also is bringing in Delton Williams of Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep, an athlete who could play receiver, defensive back or running back.

At tight end, several young candidates will fight for playing time, including Andrew Gleichert, Paul Lang, Derek Hoebing, Josiah Price and Evan Jones.

Receiver Juwan Caesar worked at tight end during bowl practices, and fullback/defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas said he’d welcome a shot there if Sims leaves.

Gholston appeared to be the most likely of the three to stay for another year and possibly raise his stock. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. recently said Gholston should do that and projected him as a third-round pick.

But all signs point to Gholston leaving. Emerging pass rusher Shilique Calhoun is the early favorite to start in Gholston’s spot, opposite Marcus Rush, with Joel Heath and others getting more of an opportunity.
MSU men's basketball coach Tom Izzo was asked after practice Thursday if he felt for Mark Dantonio.

“I feel for him and I expect that," Izzo said. "Just the way it is nowadays. Do I think all three should have left? Probably not."

Izzo was then told that none of the three project as first-round picks.

“That’s disappointing," Izzo said. "But after what I went through a week ago (with Brandan Kearney transferring), somebody’s telling somebody something. They’re three good guys, I hope they all have success, but I think everybody’s worried about how fast they get there. I think the key you gotta worry about is whether you’re gonna sustain, are you in a position where you sustain it? Two of those guys I think, you know, have got to play consistently better. But that’s the hardest part."

MSU did get good news on the defensive line when end-turned-tackle Tyler Hoover tweeted that the NCAA has granted him a sixth year of eligibility because of a rib injury that cost him all but the first few plays of the 2011 season.

Hoover could play inside or outside for MSU next season.

Statement from Mark Dantonio

“Le’Veon Bell established himself as a running back who could carry the load, as he carried the ball over 380 times this season for us. Although he was the Big Ten’s leading rusher following the regular season, it was his physical durability that was most impressive.

“As a 20-year-old, Le’Veon faced an extremely difficult decision. While I do believe there was both personal and program value in Le’Veon returning for his senior season, I acknowledge the difficult choice he had to make.”

Statement from Le'Veon Bell

“This was the hardest decision of my life. It’s difficult to leave my teammates and coaches as well as Spartan Nation, but I couldn’t pass on pursuing my dream and the opportunity to change my mom’s life.

“I couldn’t have written a better script for my final game in a Spartan uniform, coming back from a 13-0 deficit against TCU to win in the final minute. I ran the ball well against a great TCU defense, but the most important thing was getting the ‘W.’ It was exciting to celebrate with my teammates one last time and leave on that note.

“Although I’m leaving, Michigan State still has some capable running backs returning, in Nick Hill and Jeremy Langford. Those guys will be running behind a talented and experienced offensive line. Nick and Jeremy are both tough, talented athletes and their time is now.”

Statement from Dion Sims

“After talking things over with my family and some of my teammates, I decided the timing was right to make the move because I believe that I’m ready to play at the next level.

“I think I can impress the pro scouts with my end-line blocking and provide a big target over the middle. With my size and athleticism, I can create mismatches in the passing game against linebackers and safeties.

“Coach Dantonio has built a great football program at Michigan State. He is a great coach and an even better person. Coach D has a solid nucleus of players returning, plus he’ll bring in a talented recruiting class. He also has surrounded himself with great coaches and they’ll develop a plan to get the job done next season.”